CONCENTRATION
The rapid exchanges require continuous attention and immediate decisions.
TABLE TENNIS
Speed, technique, concentration, and joy for all ages
Over 300 million people worldwide play table tennis. It is one of the most spectacular Olympic Sports.
COORDINATION
It improves hand-eye coordination, balance, and body control.
PHYSICAL CONDITION
It cultivates speed, agility, and endurance, depending on the athlete’s level.
A SPORT FOR EVERYONE
It can be adapted to the age, experience, and abilities of each person.
Table tennis is a fast and exciting sport that combines technique, speed, coordination, reflexes, and tactics.
It can start as a game and evolve into a demanding competitive activity. It adapts to the age, experience, and abilities of each athlete, offering exercise, social interaction, and continuous development.
THE BASIC RULES
SCORING
Each set is won with 11 points. If the score becomes 10–10, a two-point difference is required.
SERVE
The ball is placed on the open palm, tossed almost vertically at least 16 centimeters, and hit as it descends. It must bounce first on the server’s side and then on the opponent’s side.
CHANGE OF SERVE
The serve changes every two points. After 10–10, it changes every point.
WHEN A POINT IS LOST
The player loses the point when they fail to execute a correct serve or return, when the ball bounces twice on their side, or when it touches the net, moves the table, or touches the playing surface with their free hand.
BASIC STROKES IN TABLE TENNIS
ΚΟΝΤΡΑ ΝΤΡΑΪΒ & ΚΟΝΤΡΑ ΡΕΒΕΡ
Forehand Drive – Backhand Drive
The forehand and backhand drive are among the first strokes taught during basic training. These are controlled offensive strokes, usually with a small amount of topspin.
They help the athlete learn proper stance, body movement, timing, and ball control. At an advanced level, they are often used at the beginning of practice as part of the warm-up.
ΨΕΙΡΑ ΝΤΡΑΪΒ & ΨΕΙΡΑ ΡΕΒΕΡ
Forehand Push – Backhand Push
The ‘push,’ as it is commonly called, is a controlled stroke with backspin.
It is not based on power, but on the correct racket angle, contact with the ball, and control of movement. It is one of the first techniques with which a beginner learns to create and manage spin.
SPIN
Forehand Spin – Backhand Spin
The spin is an offensive stroke that imparts intense rotation to the ball. It can be executed with both forehand and backhand and is a fundamental element of modern competitive play.
Topspin
Topspin creates upward rotation and allows the athlete to attack with greater speed and safety. It is often used for returning a chopped ball, as well as in offensive rallies.
It forms the basis of many attacking techniques. Its proper learning is crucial for the athlete’s development, as it requires coordination of feet, torso, and hand, appropriate racket angle, and correct timing.
Basic forms of topspin:
- Slow or looping topspin
- Fast topspin
- Topspin against topspin
- Topspin close to or over the table
SERVE
Serve
The serve is the action that starts each point. It is not merely the beginning of the game, but an important technical and tactical tool.
The athlete can vary the speed, direction, height, and spin of the ball, creating topspin, backspin, sidespin, or combinations of spins.
Basic techniques:
- Forehand Serve: The body and racket are positioned in a forehand stance.
- Backhand Serve: The serve is executed from the backhand position.
Both types are executed with the hand holding the racket. The difference lies in the body position and execution method, not in the use of the dominant or non-dominant hand.
BLOCK
Block
The block is used to return a fast attacking ball, usually against topspin. The athlete utilizes the opponent’s ball speed and returns it with a small and controlled movement.
Basic types:
- Passive Block: Controlled return, with the racket relatively stable and minimal movement.
- Active Block: A more aggressive return, with a small forward movement of the racket.
The correct racket angle and timing are crucial for the effectiveness of the stroke.
FLICK
FLICK
The flick is a short offensive stroke used to return a short ball close to the net.
It is executed over the table, with a quick wrist and forearm movement. It allows the athlete to attack a ball that is too short for a normal topspin.
It can be executed with forehand or backhand and often combines speed with topspin or sidespin.
Lob
The lob is a defensive stroke in which the ball is returned with a high trajectory and often with intense spin.
It is mainly used when the athlete is far from the table and receives continuous attacking balls. The high trajectory gives them time to return to the correct position and can make it difficult for the opponent due to the spin and depth of the ball.
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